Chapter 6

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“Lili, it’s time to wake up.”

My days always began with Julianne gently rousing me from sleep, accompanied by the soft chirp of morning birds and the golden rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains.

Back in my school days, this would have signaled a mad rush to avoid being late, but now? I squinted against the invading light, rubbing my eyes groggily.

Good morning, sis. Your beauty shines brighter with each passing day… honestly, you could power the sun someday.

“Morning, sis…”

I mumbled my usual greeting toward Julianne. She responded with a warm smile, her voice dipping into that adorably serious tone as she playfully pinched my cheek—gently this time, thank goodness.

“No uncles coming today?”

“Hmm, Allen might drop by later in the afternoon to check on our little Lili’s health.”

“Ugh…”

I hate that so much…

I started to frown, but then a sudden thought smoothed my expression. He did promise to bring a whole cake next time. Could today be the day? Finally, a proper cake from the outside world?

Allen Lowell might be the most annoying of them all, but his dessert choices were impeccable… Though I’d never let him get too close to my sister.

“What hairstyle should we go with today…?”

While I daydreamed about cake, Julianne had already seated me at the vanity, pursing her lips in deep contemplation.

She always turned so serious during these moments, pondering for minutes on end. It wasn’t anything complicated—just deciding how to style my hair…

…But her face looked like she was solving a national crisis.

“Twin braids… but we did that yesterday. Leaving it down feels too plain… Maybe braid and pin it up?”

“No braiding up! I hate that!”

It pulls at my scalp and hurts like crazy.

I grumbled from the chair, still rubbing my eyes. Tight hairstyles were the worst—right up there with that weird magical scan that runs through my body sometimes.

…If it weren’t for the promise of cake, I’d bolt.

“Alright, half-up it is then.”

Julianne decided with a determined nod, her expression oddly fierce for something as simple as hair.

I shrugged and straightened up, holding still and quiet. Whatever makes her happy makes me happy. I owe her so much, after all.

Closing my eyes, I savored the faint warmth of sunlight seeping through my lids.

It was a peaceful morning.

***

“Hello, Lili?”

A peaceful… morning it should have been…

Michael appeared before me, flashing that bright smile and greeting me casually.

It wasn’t even lunchtime yet?

“Does Lili not like it when I visit?”

He crouched down to my level, putting on his best pitiful face.

I stared at the sunlight glinting off his snow-white hair before muttering sulkily, “Sis and I are having lunch together.”

Why are you barging in?

His expression grew even more downtrodden at my words.

That sad act won’t work on me. You’re the scheming type—everything you do is calculated.

“Can’t I join? I rushed over and skipped my meal.”

This guy… how does he know Koreans are weak to the “I’m starving” card?

I swallowed hard, meeting those pleading golden eyes. Starving someone out feels wrong… but if I give in, he might charm his way to sis someday!

Steel yourself, Lili.

“Then eat in your room while sis and I dine.”

By “your room,” I meant the parlor where Julianne and Michael usually handled business. Whenever he visited, she’d ask, “Shall we go to uncle’s room?” So, it stuck.

“But that’s not a dining space, Lili,” he replied gently.

I know that. But you’ll spend the whole meal flirting with Julianne, turning our peaceful lunch into a battlefield.

“Yeah, but I’ve had cookies and cake there before.”

“Lili…”

“Lili, is there a reason you don’t want to eat with Michael?”

Julianne crouched beside him, tilting her head curiously.

Am I being too stubborn? But I just want a worry-free meal.

I gazed at her thoughtfully. Hmm, she seems to think the parlor’s a bit much.

Too harsh, maybe?

“Fine, sit at the end of the table.”

There, I’m being generous.

I lifted my chin defiantly, glancing at Michael. He wore a mysterious look before nodding with his usual soft smile.

Quick on the uptake, as always. He knows exactly when to back off.

“Lili still doesn’t like me much, huh?”

He pouted slightly.

“Still” implies it’ll change—fat chance. I shrugged.

You just seem like you’d uncover too many secrets. Not that a normal person would jump to “possession,” but if they did, they’d be the suspicious one.

“And yet you call Roysten ‘brother’…”

He muttered next, a hint of menace in his tone.

Don’t flash that jealousy in front of a kid, you jerk. Think I don’t notice?

I blinked innocently, feigning ignorance.

If you were as calm and pure as Cedric, maybe I’d give you a sliver of a chance…

Who am I kidding? Never gonna happen.

“Lili, do you not like the desserts I bring?”

“No.”

They’re disgustingly delicious. I shook my head slowly, stating the truth.

Allen’s snacks were great, but Michael’s were heavenly. It felt like a dessert war between two guys vying for my favor, with Cedric knitting peacefully in the background.

“So, what don’t you like about me, Lili…?”

He murmured blankly, as if puzzling it out.

I ducked behind Julianne’s back, playing dumb.

Until you show your true colors, I’m not budging!

You’re too shady—your world reeks of plots and power plays. No way I’d entrust sis to that.

“But don’t hate me too much,” he added, curving his eyes into a gentle smile.

It felt like he omitted, “We’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”

Dream on.

I rolled my eyes away, dodging his gaze.

Morning mind games are exhausting.

***

After my fierce blocking, some awkward stares, and Julianne watching it all unfold…

…lunch ended, and Michael left the manor to fetch desserts for me.

If that’s all he wanted, why show up at dawn empty-handed?

This guy was testing the waters, I bet.

“At this rate, Lili might become a picky eater…”

Julianne murmured worriedly while sorting papers, with me perched beside her.

I giggled, kicking my feet happily.

Don’t worry, sis. My palate’s tuned to instant ramen and microwave meals—this is all gourmet health food to me.

“Lady Julianne, you have visitors.”

A deep voice echoed from beyond the door—Heinz, the butler. I’d recognize that timbre anywhere; he was one of the faces hovering over me when I first woke up here.

“I said no need to announce Michael,” Julianne replied, extending her hand to me.

Someone else?

I took her hand naturally and hopped down from the chair.

Stepping into the garden, familiar figures came into view.

Michael was back, but this time with Cedric by his side.

And the reason Heinz bothered to announce them…

My eyes landed on the small boy beside them—around my age, with features eerily similar to Cedric’s.

“Cedric?”

“Ah, Julianne.”

Cedric’s cool gaze softened into a smile upon meeting hers.

Talk about instant disarmament.

“Who’s the kid next to you?”

Julianne asked, positioning us right in front of Michael, Cedric, and the mystery boy.

Cedric’s ears flushed pink as he explained, “I brought my nephew to play with Lili today. Say hi, Joshua.”

He spoke kindly to the boy.

“I don’t play with ugly kids.”

The boy grumbled, his face twisted in a pout.

Oh, really? Challenge accepted.

I tugged at Julianne’s hem, huffing indignantly, “I don’t like him. So I don’t like the brother who brought him either.”

Cedric’s face drained of color, like he’d just heard a death sentence.